Ranking Every Omen Movie, From Worst to Best

The series began in 1976 with the original movie, which revolves around a seemingly normal young boy who is actually the Antichrist and wreaks havoc. The story progresses in films #2 and #3 as the boy grows older, forming a loose trilogy. Movie #4 stands out as an anomaly, and the fifth film serves as a straightforward remake of the first. The following list ranks all five films from worst to best, with each one sharing the word "Omen" in its title.

5. 'Omen IV: The Awakening' (1991)

Image via Fox

The third installment of the Omen movie series wrapped up neatly in 1981, which makes the existence of a fourth film quite surprising. Despite the previous installment being titled the "Final Conflict," it's common for evil to return in horror movies. The resurrected evil from the previous movies wreaks havoc once again in the lackluster Omen IV: The Awakening. This TV movie fails to rise above its limitations and offers nothing new or captivating.

The plot revolves around a couple adopting a young child, who starts causing accidents that arouse suspicion from one of the parents. The only slightly fresh element in this fourth Omen movie is the change of gender for the potentially demonic child, now portrayed as a girl instead of a boy. If this slight innovation appeals to you and you're fine with a narrative that lacks intrigue and fails to deliver scares or creative violence, then perhaps Omen IV: The Awakening is the right film for you. The film's inability to continue the overarching story eventually led to a more straightforward remake 15 years later, and there is now a prequel movie titled The First Omen, suggesting that sequels may no longer be a viable option for this series.

4. 'The Omen' (2006)

The worst type of remake is one that either closely resembles the original film or is an exact copy. This is the case with the 2006 remake of The Omen, which feels entirely unnecessary due to its striking similarities with the original. The story takes place in the 2000s and includes references to recent events, which some view as indicators of the impending arrival of the Antichrist. The visual effects and death scenes are slightly bloodier and arguably more graphic compared to the original.

However, The Omen fails to bring anything new or significant to the already-told story from 30 years prior. Despite the talents of actors Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles, they don't leave the same impact in their roles as parents as Gregory Peck and Lee Remick did in the original film. It's possible that this remake was created solely for the purpose of releasing a movie about the Antichrist on June 6, 2006, for its numerological significance. While this may seem clever on paper, it raises the question of whether it was worth sacrificing artistic value. Technically, the remake is more skillful than the forgettable fourth movie, but its reason for existing is highly debatable.

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3. 'Omen III: The Final Conflict' (1981)

Long before battling dinosaurs in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a mature Damien in the first two Omen films. His character faced off against those involved in heralding the arrival of Christ's second coming. This forms the core premise of Omen III: The Final Conflict, which holds significant potential in theory. As an adult, Damien possesses an increased level of control and displays a greater outward manifestation of wickedness and power. By the age of 32, he has successfully risen to the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, bringing him even closer to his ultimate goal of global domination.

It appears that

2. 'Damien: Omen II' (1978)

should enhance the tension in an intriguing manner, and in a general sense, it somewhat achieves that... but Omen III: The Final Conflict falls short in terms of dramatic impact and entertainment value. This film had the potential to create something not necessarily exceptional, but at least commendable for a sequel. Regrettably, it loses its momentum as the story progresses. However, due to its imaginative concept and the chance to witness a young Sam Neill demonstrate his skills, it still holds some value. (Nevertheless, Possession, released in 1981 and starring Neill, was unquestionably the superior horror film.)

Image via 20th Century Fox

While not reaching the status of a cinematic masterpiece, Damien: Omen II stands out among its sequel counterparts for its compelling narrative. The first Omen film introduced us to a five-year-old Damien, but this second installment cleverly picks up the story seven years later, allowing the character to embark on intriguing new paths. Given the significant number of fatalities in its predecessor, there are limited opportunities for other cast members to reprise their roles. Consequently, the film wisely focuses on an older Damien, further cementing his presence as a central figure— a trajectory that continues in the third film.

Unfortunately, the film also dedicates a significant amount of time to introducing new characters who are embroiled in a similar mystery as the protagonists of the first movie. Consequently, it often feels like these new characters merely serve the purpose of eventually meeting their demise, leading to scenes that lack emotional impact (not to mention the sense of repetition carried over from the initial film). However, the narrative truly shines when focusing on the 12-year-old Damien, who begins to comprehend his extraordinary role in the world while attending a military academy. This aspect of the story is unexpectedly captivating and brimming with intensity, making Damien: Omen II undoubtedly the standout film in The Omen series, excluding the original.

1. 'The Omen' (1976)

The first Omen movie, released in 1976, remains unmatched among numerous horror movie franchises. It stands as one of the greatest films of the 1970s, presenting a meticulously paced, gripping, and often unsettling story. The plot revolves around a married couple who adopt a seemingly ordinary child named Damien. However, as the film's legendary status and subsequent sequels reveal, Damien proves to be anything but normal.

The Omen is not just a horror movie; it also serves as a captivating and ultimately sorrowful drama. It unfolds in a realistic manner considering its unique premise. The film is immersive, flawlessly crafted, and certainly lives up to its outstanding reputation. Unfortunately, none of the sequels in the series have been able to match the greatness of The Omen. However, this could be attributed to the challenge of surpassing the initial impact of such a remarkable film. Catch The Omen on DirecTV today.